Morrisburg roundabout, street-scape design debut this Thursday

Morrisburg street-scape concept drawing from a 2017 WSP report to South Dundas council.

MORRISBURG – South Dundas has long had its eye on a street-scape project for County Road 2 through Morrisburg. This week citizens will be able to put their eyes on the new design for the corridor.

In partnership with the United Counties of Stormont Dundas and Glengarry, and with funding from the Rural Economic Development program ($67,500), a draft design for the project has been completed and is ready for public input.

That design will make its first public appearance Thursday, March 7, 7-9 p.m. in South Dundas council chambers on the third floor of the South Dundas Municipal Centre in Morrisburg.

“The public will have the opportunity to view and comment on the Morrisburg street-scape preliminary design concepts for County Road 2 in Morrisburg,” said Rob Hunter, South Dundas’ economic development officer.

At that meeting citizens will be able to view the preliminary design story boards and discuss the plans with the project consultants and counties staff who will be at the meeting.

“We would really like to encourage South Dundas residents to come to the public meeting, view the plans and provide feedback,” said Hunter.

“I do think that this is an important part of renewing the County Road 2 corridor through Morrisburg,” said South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds.

“That area has many issues, not limited to traffic flow and pedestrian movement, including crossings,” he said.

“I do encourage the public to come out and give us their comments to ensure the design reflects what the residents of South Dundas would like to see on this important pathway,” said Byvelds.

This design will also address the County Road 2 and 31 intersection.

“The plan includes the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of County Roads 31 and 2,” said Ben deHaan, director of transportation and planning for the United Counties of SDG.

“Similar to Iroquois, the roundabout is being designed to handle truck traffic.”

“Our hope is that the positive experience of Iroquois will give the community confidence that roundabouts can be both well-designed and attractive,” said deHaan.

deHaan added that one of the exciting aspects of the plan is the consideration for pedestrian and cyclist traffic along County Road 2.

“We are looking at a variety of sidewalk and crossing options,” said deHaan, adding that the crossings will all require that cars yield to pedestrians.

Any new crossings will be AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) compliant.

At the meeting they will display a video simulation of existing traffic flow through the corridor to give folks a sense of how the traffic will flow.

Asked for his opinion on the design, deHaan said: “The design is a striking improvement to the County Road 2 corridor, as it really makes sure that all road users and businesses are accommodated in a safer and more efficient manner. The proposed lighting and landscaping improvements also help create an aesthetically pleasing downtown business area.”

For South Dundas and SDG, having a completed design plan in place for this project makes it shovel-ready should any relevant funding opportunities arise.

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